Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 4/20/2023

Northwest:

--The dangerous block on the mega classic Banana Peel (II+, 5.7) in Squamish has been removed. Reportedly, this route is good to go. 

--Gripped is reporting that, "The Chief has been the scene of a number of rockfalls over the past few year, and while the most recent this week isn’t the biggest, it was still significant. It fell from the right side of Sheriff’s Badge." To read more, click here.

--Jack Kuenzle just crushed the previous speed record on Mt. Shasta. From SnowBrains: "Starting at Bunny Flats at 6,880′, the route featured 7,602′ of climbing over two and a half hours to the summit of 14,162 foot Mount Shasta. Kuenzle took two hours and four minutes to the summit and just 26 minutes to descend the same route." To read more, click here.

--Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest will have several prescribed fires in the Mt. Baker district in the coming weeks. 

Sierra:

--From the Nevada Current: "A Nevada Department of Wildlife biologist who sued Lake Tahoe bear activists for allegedly mounting a “vicious and calculated effort to damage his reputation and jeopardize his employment” is now on the hook for more than $150,000 in legal fees, costs, and damages. Judge Connie H. Steinheimer ruled last week against NDOW official Carl Lackey, who filed a lawsuit in 2017 against Carolyn Stark and Mark Smith, who administer the Facebook page NDOW Watch: Keeping them transparent. Lackey sued Stark and Smith for comments posted on the page by others about Lackey’s approach to bear management." To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--The reopening of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon has been delayed due to snow. To read more, click here.

--8 News Now is reporting that, "The recent warmer weather is great for walking or hiking around the Las Vegas valley but you do need to be aware as the temperature rises so does rattlesnake activity. Red Rock Canyon posted on social media that rattlesnakes were spotted around the visitor center." To read more, click here.

Calico Peaks in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

--KTNV is reporting that, " If you've been out to Red Rock Canyon recently, you've probably noticed a lot more greenery than usual. A local land and water specialist tells Channel 13 cloud seeding may be part of the reason why." To read more, click here.

--News Channel 3 is reporting that, "Two people suspected of breaking into multiple vehicles in Joshua Tree in March were later spotted using stolen credit cards at the Palm Desert Walmart, authorities said. The thefts were reported at around 5:00 p.m. on March 8 at the Hemingway Parking Lot. There was no word on how many cars were broken into." To read more, click here.

Colorado and Utah:

--Powder is reporting that, "Powder Mountain, UT flies under-the-radar compared to the popular resorts in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, but it's actually the largest ski resort by acreage on the entire continent. The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Netflix Co-Founder and former CO-CEO Reed Hastings has purchased a significant stake in Powder Mountain for an undisclosed amount. Keep reading below for more details." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--A climber was seriously injured after suffering a fall in New York's Chapel Pond area in the Keene Valley. To learn more, click here.

--FN 5 is reporting that, "more REI stores across the U.S. are looking to unionize their workplaces, joining a growing wave of similar efforts across the chain in recent months." To read more, click here.